Mumbai: Uddhav Sena leader found dead on track

Sudhir More

A prominent leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, Sudhir More, 62, was found dead on the railway tracks after being hit by a local train at 11.30 pm near Ghatkopar railway station on August 31. The Kurla GRP is registering an FIR based on his son's statement alleging that he was being harassed by a woman.

More was a former corporator and the Shiv Sena (UBT) communications chief for Ratnagiri district. "He came to Shivaji Maidan to attend a meeting related to dahi handi and Ganpati celebrations. Around 9.30 pm he went to his residence for dinner. Later, he left his place and went somewhere alone," a local resident of the Parksite area told mid-day.

According to the Government Railway Police (GRP), More died by suicide at 11.30 pm but no suicide note has been recovered. Sources said he received two phone calls before that. He allegedly received one call at 11.00 pm after which he went alone towards Ghatkopar railway station. He was also seen talking on the phone at the station.

Parksite residents pay their respects at Shivaji Maidan. Pic/Rajesh Gupta

"More went onto platform No. 2 at Ghatkopar and got down on the tracks leading towards Vidyavihar station. The motormen in the Kalyan-CSMT fast train spotted him on the track and even used the emergency brake but couldn't halt the train on time," a GRP officer said. The statement of the motormen has been recorded.

"After the incident, we initially registered an ADR in the matter. We didn't recover any suicide note but after recording his son Samar's statement we are in the process of registering an FIR. Further investigations are underway," said the officer.

In his statement, Samar said that Nilima Chavan - an advocate and social worker - had mentally harassed his father, causing him to take the extreme step. "She called him after which left for the station," Samar said.

According to an officer, CCTV footage at the station shows that More was on a phone call with someone. "We have recovered his phone and sent it for forensic analysis. An FIR has been registered against Nilima Chavan under IPC Section 306 (Abetment to suicide)," the officer said.

More's body was sent to Rajawadi hospital for a post-mortem examination after which it was handed over to this family and his last rites were performed at Varshanagar Samashan Bhumi.

The UBT faction's Vinayak Raut said, "Today is a black day for us… we lost a leader like Sudhir. I gathered information that he had received some calls before taking the extreme step. We are going to appeal to the police to investigate the matter."

Meanwhile, local residents said the entire Parksite area was mourning the death of the leader. "He was always smiling and would help locals in distress. He also looked after the Ganpati celebrations. Now I don't know how we would celebrate the festival without him. It's hard to believe that he is no more," Kalpana Gosavi told mid-day.

Rajshree Parab said he had a strong hold in Parksite and locals in the area have decided to keep shops, schools and colleges shut as a mark of respect.

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No of calls More received before jumping on track